Portable warning device



1966 J. LELICOFF 3,279,110

PORTABLE WARNING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2 1965 INVENTOR. JZ/o/v Lama/ r Ar role/v.0

United States Patent 3,279,110 PORTABLE WARNING DEVICE Jhon Lelicotf, 1732 Norfolk Lane, Anaheim, Calif. Filed Aug. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 476,603 6 Claims. (Cl. 40129) The present invention relates generally to the field of warning devices, and more particularly to an illuminable sign that can be used by a crossing guard, or other person that has need to control the movement of persons or traffic.

In the past, crossing guards, or'persons controlling traffic, have used various forms of signs for this purpose illuminated or not.

Another object of the invention is to supply a portable low-cost warning sign that can .be fabricated from standard, commercially available materials which requires a minimum of maintenance attention, whereby it can be retailed at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the widespread use thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a number of forms thereof, and from the accompanying drawing illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first form of the portable warning sign;

FIGURE 2'is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the I sign shown in FIGURE 1, taken on the line 22 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the signshown in FIGURE 1, taken on the line 33 thereof; FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of a second form of the warning sign; I

FIGURE 5 is a combined longitudinal cross-sectional and side elevational view of the second form of the device,

taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of that portion of the second form of the sign shown in FIGURE 5 included within the circle shown in phantom line;

FIGURE 7 is a combinedlongitudinal, cross-sectional and front elevational view of a lower portion of a third form of the device;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper portion of a fourth form of the device;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic Wiring diagram of the batteries and electrical circuit used in the third form of the device; and

, FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the third form of the device.

With continued reference to the drawing for the general arrangement of the first form of the invention, it will be seen to include a hollow hexagonal housing A that is rigidly supported on the upper end of an elongate handle B.

Housing A includes a first hexagonal panel 10 formed from a translucent material such as a polymerized resin. A first film 12 of light translucent material is afiixed to the interior surface of panel 10, and this film defines a warning insignia generally designated by the numeral 14, such as the word STOP, SLOW, or the like. Two

pigmented light translucent films 16-extend upwardly and C and D by gluing, or the like,

3,279,110 Patented Oct. 18, 1966 ice downwardly from film 12, and are aflixed to the interior surface of panel 10. The films 12 and 16 can either be separate or an integral film, and are preferably pigmented with a fluorescent material so that the warning sign will stand out from the background against which it is viewed.

A second panel 18 is provided that is of substantially the same shape and size as the first panel 10, and in the event a warning insignia is not to be carried thereon, may be formed from an opaque sheet material. However, if a warning insignia 14 is to be carried on panel 18, the first and second films 12 and 16 must be applied thereto in the same manner as on the panel 10. Panels 10 and 18, as shown in FIGURE 2, are laterally separated and disposed in parallel relationship.

The first panel 10 is held in a fixedposition within the confines of a first frame member C (FIGURE 2) that is telescopically mounted on a second frame member D. Frame member C is of hexagonal configuration and includes a flange 20 which 'slidably engages a second flange 22 forming a part of frame member D. A lip 24 extends inwardly from the forward edge of flange 20, and a second lip 26 extends inwardly from the rear edge of flange 22.

Panel 10 is disposed within the confines of the frame member C, and the peripheral forward edges of this panel are in abutting contact with the rear surfaces of the first lips 24. The second panel 18 is situated within the confines of the frame member D, with the rear peripheral surfaces of this panel being in abutting contact with the forward surface of the second lip 26. Panels 10 and 18 may be held in fixed positions within the frame members to the lips 24 and 26 with which they are in abutting contact. I

The frame members C and D are preferably formed from a polymerized resin or other lightweight material.

- The lower central portions of members C and D develop into two downwardly extending, semi-cylindrical shells 28 and 30, the adjacent edges of which are adapted to be placed in abutting contact or in close'disp'o'sition when the warning sign is assembled in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The handle B is comprised of a tubular shell 32 having an externally threaded lower end 34, and an internally threaded upper end 36. End 36 engages a threaded plug 38 that removably supports an incandescent bulb 40. An upwardly disposed, circumferentially extending rib'42 projects from shell 32 that can removably engage two grooves 44 formed'in the semi-cylindrical shells 28 and 30, as may best be seen in FIGURE 2. When the first and second frame members C and D are in telescoped relationship (FIGURE 1), the shells 28 and 30 engage the ribs 42 whereby the housing A is held in a fixed position relative to the handle B.

The frame members C and D are held in the' desired interlocking relationship by screws 46 which project through openings formed in the first flange 20 tolengage a tapped bore (not shown) formed in the second flange 22. As shown in FIGURE 2 the handle B is adapted to hold a number of conventional flashlight batteries E in end-to-end relationship, with the lowermost battery engaging a compressed helical spring 48 that is in abutting contact with a threaded cap 50 which removabl'y engages the threads 34. Spring 48is formed from an "electrical conducting material, and at 'all times tends to 'urg'e'the batteries E upwardly whereby the uppermost battery will be in contact with the incandescent bulb 40. p

The shell 32, spring 48 and cap 50 are all formed from electrically conducting materials, and in conjunction with 'a conductor 52, cooperatively establish an electric circuit from the batteries to the bulb 40; The circuit so estab- 3 lished is normally open, but may be closed by means of an electric switch 54 illustrated in FIGURE '2. The threaded plug 38 is formed from an electrical insulating material, such as a polymerized resin, or the likep A light-reflecting material 56, such as a metallic foil, or the like, is aflixed tothe interior surface of the second flange 22. Light from the incandescent bulb 40 is re-,

flected from the material 56 back and forth within hous- I in the closed position, whereby light from the bulb 40 illuminates the panels 10 and 18, as well as the warning insignia 14. After the sign has been used for its intended I purpose, the switch 54 is manually placed in the open position to break the electric circuit from the batteries E to the bulb 40. When the sign is not in use, it can be positioned on a supporting surface, with the handle B in an upwardly extending position.

When a bulb 40 burns out, or for other reasons it is 7 required to inserta new bulb in the plug 38, the screws 46 are loosened to permit separation of the first and second frame members C and D whereby a new bulb may be installed. Substitution of new batteries E for those that are exhausted is readily eflfected by removing the cap 50 from the first threaded end 34 of shell 32,, re-

moving theused batteries and inserting new batteries within the shell.

A second form F of theinvention is shown'in FIG- URES 4 and 5 which includes a hollow tubular handle G having a hexagonal open frame H. aflixed to the upper end thereof. As may be seen in FIGURES 5 and 6, the frame H, which is preferably fabricated from a plastic or other lightweight material, has a metallic light-reflecting sheet material 58 afiixed to theinterior surface thereof. Material58 maybe metallic foil, or the like.

' Two identical frame members I are provided from which flanges 60 extend towards one another and slidably en- 1 gage; ,the'jouter exterior surfaces of frame H. Downwardly extending lips 62 are provided on members I. This form F of the invention also includes first and second panels. and 18', identical in structure to the panels 10 and 18 previously described. Panels 10' and 18" are held in fixed position in the frame H due to the fact that the inner peripheral surfaces thereof and the outer peripheral surfaces of these panels are in abutting contact with the lips 62 (FIGURE 5).

The frame members I are 'removably held on the frame H by screws 64 which project through the flanges 60 to engage tapped bores 61 formed in frame H. The handle G (FIGURE 5) is tubular, and the upper end thereof is inserted .in a collar 66 which extends downwardly from frame. H. The upper end of handle G within the confines of the, housing A comprised of the first and second panels 10' and 18', frame H and frame members I, supports-an incandescent bulb 68, which is illuminated by electric current from a number of batteries (not shown) situated in the handle when a switch 70 is closed manually. Other than the means by which it is affixed -to theframe H, the handle G is identical in structure to handle B (FIGURE 2), and hence a detailed description of handle G need not be given.

The thirdform ofthe invention shown in FIGURES -7 and 9 includes a hexagonal frame K comprising two angularly disposed sides 72 and 74 which'are connected by a side 76. The frame K is adapted to support panels 10"and 18"within the confines thereof in the same manner as frame H previously described in connection with the second form of the warning sign.

An elongate hollow handle L is connected to the side 76, and extends upwardly therethrough into the I confines of frame K. A cross piece 78 is disposed within the confines of frame Kand extends between the sides 72 and 74 thereof, as bestse-en in FIGURE 7. The abutting ends of cross piece 78 are bonded to the interior surfaces of sides 72 and 74 by conventional means, such as glue, or the like. The upper end of handle Lterminates in a socket 80 that is disposed about the cross piece '78,-

with this socket serving to removably support anincandescent bulb 82. The interior surface of the frame K; as well as the upper surface of the cross piece .78, are covered with a film of light-reflecting material 84.1

Two outer end pieces 86 and 86' and inner end. pieces 88 and 88' of an electrical insulating materialiextend between the cross piece 78 and side 76, as can best be i seen in FIGURE 7. End pieces 86 and 88, together with cross piece 78 and side 76 cooperatively define a compartment 90 in which two cylindrical batteries 92iand 94 1 can be removably positioned in side-by-side relationship as illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 9. Also, a compartment 90' is defined by end pieces 86' and 88' in cooperation with cross piece 78 and side 76 in which compartment two cylindrical batteries 92'1 and 94 can be removably positioned. The end pieces 86, 86 cured to the cross piece 78 and side 76 by glue or'other suitable fastening means.

A battery contact assembly 93 is mounted on the inner surfaces of the outer end piece 96, the detailed structure of which assembly is shown in FIGURE 10. Anassembly 93' which is identical to assembly 93 is mounted on the inner surface of outer end piece 86. The bat-. teries 92, 94, 92' and 94' cylindrical positive terminals 92a, 94a, 92a and 94a, respectively, as well as flat negative end terminals 92b, 94b, '92band 94b. The ,inner end piece 88 supports two spaced fixed contact plates 88' similarly supports two fixed contact plates296' and 98 Battery contact assembly 92 includes a resilient elonand 88, 88. are, se-:

are provided with projecting;

96 and 98. Endpieceji gate portion formed fromv an electrical conducting ma-.

terial such as Phospor, bronze;

into opposite sides of a web 104.; Web 104 is pivotally supported from end piece 86 by a rivet 106 brother The outer end, of leg .100

A washer 114 formed fromwan electrical insulating;

materialis mounted on the inner surface of disc 108.

An opening 116 is formed in washer 1140f. greater The elongate portion 1 includes two spaced coaxially aligned legs and 102,1 the inner ends of which develop into two angularly positioned extensions 100a and 1021: respectively, that merge diameter than that ofthe terminals 92a, 94a, 92a'.1and

94a. 108 and 110, as shown in FIGURE 10. In FIGURE9 it will be seen that the "positioning of the plates 96' and i 98, as well as that of the assembly93' is reversed rela-.

tive to the positions of plates 96, 98 and assembly 93. I

The plate 98 is connected by to a junction 116. An electrical conductor 118 extends from junction .116 to a normally open electrical switch 120 located in the handle 1.. Switch 120 is connected of this socket has an.

junctions 116 and 126 respectively, ,to

Finger latches 108a and a project from ;discs 1 a conductor 112 to plate 96'. An electrical conductor 114 extends fromplate 96 handle L, and can be removably engaged by a suitable member (not shown) to supply direct current ,to the 1 batteries 92, 94, 92', 94' to recharge the same.

The batteries 92, 94 and 92', 94' are mounted in compartments 90 and 90' by first removing the panels and 18, or 10 and 18' as the case may be. The finger latches 108a, 110a, and 108a and 110a are then engaged to temporarily deform the assemblies 93 and 93' to permit insertion of the batteries in compartments 90 and 90'.

Due to the construction of the assemblies 93 and 93', the batteries 92, 94, 92, 94' can be disposed in circuit completing positions therein only when they are connected in series. If the battery 92 were reversed from the position shown in FIGURE 9, the flat electrode 92b would be in contact with insulating washer 114, and obviously could not supply current to the circuit previously described. Likewise, if the position of battery 94 is reversed from that shown in FIGURE 9, the terminal 94a thereof would extend through opening 112, and again the battery would not supply current to the circuit. Also, the batteries 92 and 94' must be correctly positioned in compartment 90', for otherwise the batteries cannot supply current to the circuit for the same reasons given in connection with contact assembly 93.

After the batteries 92, 94, 92' and 94' have been correctly positioned in compartments 90 and 90 as previously described, the panels 10 and 18 are mounted on the warning sign whereby it may then be used for its intended purpose in the same manner as the first and second forms thereof.

A fourth form of the device is shown in FIGURE 8 and includes a hexagonal frame M, on the rear side of which an inwardly extending lip 138 is provided. A transparent panel 140 is situated within the confines of the frame M, in abutting contact therewith. A frame member 142 is connected by a hinge 144 to the upper part of the frame M, and an inwardly extending lip 146 formed on member 142 overlaps theforward peripheral portion of this frame to support a panel 148 within the forward confines of the frame. The panels 140 and 148 are of the same structure as panels 10 and 18 described in connection with the first form of the invention.

The four forms of warning devices described herein are each used in the same manner, and hence a detailed description of their use need not be given.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A portable warning sign particularly adapted for use by cross walk guards, including:

(a) first and second panels of substantially the same size and configuration, with at least said first panel being translucent and having a warning signal defined thereon;

(b) first and second frame members that support said first and second panels in laterally spaced relationship, said first' and second frame members including first and second flanges that telescopically engage one another and first and second semicylindrical shells that extend outwardly from said first and second flanges, with said first and second shells having first and second aligned grooves on the interior .surfaces thereof, and said panels and frame members cooperating to provide a confined space;

(c) an elongate hollow cylindrical handle having a circumferentially extending rib on a first end portion thereof that is engaged by said grooves;

(d) first means for removably locking said flanges together to support said first and second frame members and first and second panels from said first end portion of said handle;

(e) an incandescent bulb disposed in said confined space adjacent said first end portion of said handle;

(f) second means for supporting said bulb at a fixed position relative said first end portion;

(g) battery means disposed in said handle;

(h) an electric circuit connecting said battery means to said bulb;

(i) a normally open manually operable switch forming a part of said circuit; and

(j) light reflecting means covering the interior surface of said first flange for reflecting light from said bulb back and forth parallel to said panels to illuminate said confined space when said switch is closed to provide a blanket of light against which said first panel is viewed.

2. A warning sign as defined in claim 1, in which said first means are a plurality of screws that engage aligned bores formed in said first and second flanges.

3. A warning sign as defined in claim 1, in which said second means is a plug of electrical insulating material mounted in said first end portion of said handle.

4. A portable warning sign particularly adapted for use by crosswalk guards, including:

(a) first and second panels of substantially the same size and configuration, with at least said first panel being translucent and having a warning insignia defined thereon;

(b) a hollow frame of substantially the same size and configuration as that of said panels;

(c) first and second frame members mounted on said frame, with said first and second frame members holding said first and second panels in parallel, laterally spaced relationship on said frame, which frame, frame members and panel cooperatively define a confined space;

(d) an elongate handle that supports said frame on a first end thereof;

(e) an incandescent bulb in said confined space disposed in a fixed position relative to said frame;

(f) first and second cylindrical batteries disposed in side-by-side relationship in said confined space, each of which have a projecting cylindrical positive electrode and a flat end that is a negative electrode, which sign further includes;

(g) a cross piece of electrical insulating material eX- tending between opposite sides of said frame in said confined space;

(h) an outer and an inner end piece of an electrical insulating material that are spaced from one another and extend between said cross piece and frame to define a first compartment in which said batteries are disposed;

(i) first and second fixed electrical conductors on said inner end piece that engage said negative and positive electrodes of said first and second batteries respectively when said batteries are disposed in said first compartment;

(j) resilient electrical conducting means on said outer end piece that can only receive current from said batteries when said positive electrode of said first battery is in contact with a first end portion thereof and said negative electrode of said second battery is in contact with a second end portion thereof;

(k) a normally open electric switch; and

(I) an electric circuit that includes said first and second fixed conductors, said resilient electrical conducting means, and said switch, with said switch when closed causing said batteries to electrically energize said bulb.

5'. A sign as defined in claim 4 which further includes:

(0) means in said circuit for receiving direct current from an external source to recharge said batteries.

6. A sign as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for receiving said direct current is situated in said handle.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS I Haynes 40132 Conklin 40132 Howe et a1 40132 Van Dyne. Pell 40132 Madan 240-64 8 Reynolds 3'4084 Darnell et a1. 40132 Or'szulak 40132 Miller 240-6.4 Deppe 2406.4

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

S. M. BENDER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE WARNING SIGN PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE BY CROSS WALK GUARDS, INCLUDING: (A) FIRST AND SECOND PANELS OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME SIZE AND CONFIGURATION, WITH AT LEAST SAID FIRST PANEL BEING TRANSLUCENT AND HAVING A WARNING SIGNAL DEFINED THEREON; (B) FIRST AND SECOND FRAME MEMBERS THAT SUPPORT SAID FIRST AND SECOND PANELS IN LATERALLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP, SAID FIRST AND SECOND FRAME MEMBER INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND FLANGES THAT TELESCOPICALLY ENGAGE ONE ANOTHER AND FIRST AND SECOND SEMI-CYLINDRICAL SHELLS THAT EXTEND OUTWARDLY FROM SAID FIRST AND SECOND FLANGES, WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND SHELLS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ALIGNED GROOVES ON THE INTERIOR SURFACES THEREOF, AND SAID PANELS AND FRAME MEMBERS COOPERATING TO PROVIDE A CONFINED SPACE; (C) AN ELONGATE HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL HANDLE HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIALLY EXTENDING RIB ON A FIRST END PORTION THEREOF THAT IS ENGAGED BY SAID GROOVES; (D) FIRST MEANS FOR REMOVABLY LOCKING SAID FLANGES TOGETHER TO SUPPORT SAID FIRST AND SECOND FRAME MEMBERS AND FIRST AND SECOND PANELS FROM SAID FIRST END PORTION OF SAID HANDLE; (E) AN INCANDESCENT BULB DISPOSED IN SAID CONFINED SPACE ADJACENT SAID FIRST END PORTION OF SAID HANDLE; (F) SECOND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID BULB AT A FIXED POSITION RELATIVE SAID FIRST END PORTION; (G) BATTERY MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID HANDLE; (H) AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONNECTING SAID BATTERY MEANS TO SAID BULB; (I) A NORMALLY OPEN MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH FORMING A PART OF SAID CIRCUIT; AND (J) LIGHT REFLECTING MEANS COVERING THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID FIRST FLANGE FOR REFLECTING LIGHT FROM SAID BULB BACK AND FORTH PARALLEL TO SAID PANELS TO ILLUMINATE SAID CONFINED SPACE WHEN SAID SWITCH IS CLOSED TO PROVIDE A BLANKET OF LIGHT AGAINST WHICH SAID FIRST PANEL IS VIEWED. 